CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D+

Is Roanoke, Virginia Safe?

Population 99,111 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Roanoke faces real safety challenges. It earns a D+ grade and ranks below 80% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,876 per 100K.

Roanoke Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRoanokeVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate394.5320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2161.72045.21,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate284.0--268.2
Theft Rate1876.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate323.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

255.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

395/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2162/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Roanoke

Violent crime in Roanoke is close to the national average. The rate of 394.5 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2161.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,876 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Roanoke Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault284
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery79
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary396
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,876
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft323
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Roanoke Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Roanoke
394.5
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Roanoke
2161.7
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roanoke Safety

Is Roanoke safe?
Not especially. Roanoke earns a D+ with a crime rate of 255.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Roanoke?
255.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 394.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2161.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Roanoke safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Roanoke's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,876 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Roanoke?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Roanoke generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Roanoke police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Roanoke?
No. Crime in Roanoke has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Roanoke compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Roanoke ranks behind about 75% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Roanoke to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Roanoke?
Bad. A D+ grade and 255.6 per-thousand rate put Roanoke below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 395 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Roanoke?
394.5 per 100,000, which is 8% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (284), robbery (79), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Virginia

Similar-sized communities in Virginia. Compare crime rates across the state.

D
See crime rates in Portsmouth96,777 pop · Grade D
D-
See crime rates in Suffolk104,699 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in Lynchburg81,347 pop · Grade C-
D-
See crime rates in Hampton137,315 pop · Grade D-
D+
See crime rates in Harrisonburg50,839 pop · Grade D+
C-
See crime rates in Leesburg49,917 pop · Grade C-
View all Virginia city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Roanoke

Get weekly safety updates for Roanoke

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities